Reported Cases of Lyme Disease in Minnesota by Month of Onset
Exposure to blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) and Lyme disease in Minnesota occurs primarily from May to July, and again in the autumn, when people are outdoors and ticks are actively feeding.
The majority of cases occur in June, July, and August, peaking just after the mid-May to mid-July period when the nymphal deer tick is feeding. This lag is due to the 3-30 day period between an infected tick bite and the start of signs and symptoms.
- Reported Cases of Lyme Disease in Minnesota by Month of Onset 1998-2008 (PDF: 32KB/1 page)
This bar graph shows reported cases of Lyme disease by the month of onset.
Spotlight
Blacklegged tick (deer tick) life stages next to a metric ruler. The adult ticks (two ticks at the left) are approximately 1/8 of an inch long, while the nymph (third from left) is just under 1/16 of an inch.
June 29, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert
Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan Virus
May 6, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert
Anaplasmosis Rivals Lyme Disease As Record Numbers of Minnesotans Sick from Tick-Borne Diseases in 2010.
Special Review Panel Unaimously Upholds Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines: Short-term Antibiotics Proven to be Best Treatment for Patients
4/2010 Update: Special review panel unanimously upholds Lyme disease treatment guidelines. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
High Risk Areas in Minnesota
A map that shows counties of highest Tick-borne risk in Minnesota.
Ticks
Learn about blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) including their life cycle, feeding habits, habitat, and population control. Also includes information on American dog ticks, the vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Minnesota.
Preventing Tick-Transmitted Disease
Information about minimizing your risk of tick-transmitted diseases, protecting your pets, and removing ticks.
Tickborne Prevention Poster: Spray Before You Work or Play
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
